The Mercury Retrograde Report
My take, for NYLON
Again? Really? On Dec. 13, Mercury goes retrograde in Capricorn for the third time in two years, before sliding backwards into Sagittarius on the 23rd. What chaos may come when the planet of daily life lurches backwards in the sign of global economics? And what lessons about responsibility and vision has Mercury to teach us, before going direct on Jan. 2nd?
The sun represents our divine selfhood, our core identity. Always in close orbit is Mercury, named for the herald god of Olympus, which translates the sun’s rays into language, data, and understanding. Mercury commands every aspect of daily life: communication, travel, contact, and efficiency. The hot planet burns bright and likes to keep it moving.
When Mercury goes retrograde, the planetary archetype seemingly falls backward for a few weeks, as if retracing its recent steps. This can register in a few ways. Most infamously, Mercury’s backwards motion can spell out technological breakdowns, crossed wires, canceled plans, and matters falling out of control. Face it: It’s likely that whatever has come crashing down was held together with tape and string. And so retrogrades, viewed constructively, offer a chance to review and reboot, to address blind spots and get clarity before the wheel of fortune spins again.
More from me:
My interview with astrologer Caroline Casey, for NYLON
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Love,
David Odyssey